SSBO #25: Ray Schwanenberger

My stool is 21 ½” tall, the seat is a 12” x 14” oval, the front legs have a rake of 19 degrees and a splay of 17 degrees, the back leg is raked 1 degree toward the front of the seat with a 0 degree splay. The result is an isosceles triangle footprint with the base measuring 20” and the equal sides measuring 15 ½”.

The seat was carved out of 8/4 White Ash and the legs are Cherry.

I fashioned my three legged stool in the Windsor style, of which I am most comfortable crafting. My inspirations are Pete Galbert, Curtis Buchanan, Galen Cranz, Wharton Esherick, and Vitruvius.

The seat is sculpted while the legs and stretchers are turned. The seat and undercarriage are joined by means of tapered mortises and tenons, and then wedged. The rake and splay of the legs all tilted to the front of the seat. This is unusual, but necessary to afford the seat with the 10 degree forward tilt that is the foundation of the design.

The stool encourages the hips to roll forward while sitting, bringing about a more upright and comfortable posture. This is exactly what I was aiming for.

My original intent was a stool 26 ½” tall. However, after one of the legs shattered on the lathe, due to a hidden knot, I had to shorten the stool to its current height. There were some challenges along the way, but I have to say I am extremely pleased with the results.

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